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Home environment and asthma in Kenyan schoolchildren: a case-control study
N Mohamed1, L Ng'ang'a, J Odhiambo
1Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Thorax
|January 1, 1995
Summary
Home dampness, indoor air pollution, and bedroom carpets are linked to childhood asthma in developing nations. High salt intake in children with asthma also emerged as a significant factor requiring further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Pediatric Respiratory Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Growing evidence links environmental factors to asthma development.
- The study investigates home environment-asthma relationship in a developing country context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between home environment factors and asthma in schoolchildren.
- To explore socioeconomic influences on this relationship.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 77 asthmatic children and 77 matched controls (aged 9-11) in Nairobi.
- Home visits with visual inspection and questionnaires on environmental exposures and diet.
- Asthma defined by wheeze history, doctor diagnosis, or exercise-induced decline in FEV1.
Main Results:
- Dampness in sleeping areas (OR 4.9), indoor air pollution (OR 2.5), and bedroom carpets (OR 3.6) significantly associated with asthma.
- Asthmatic children had higher supplemental daily salt intake (817 mg) vs. controls (483 mg).
Conclusions:
- Home environmental factors are strongly associated with childhood asthma in this developing nation.
- Findings suggest potential targets for asthma prevention and highlight areas for future research.